Famous People I've Met

I have met many famous people in the past. One is infamous, so I will tell you about him first.

I sat next to OJ Simpson at a Shriner College Football playoff. He was quite friendly, so I felt I could ask for his autograph — which I have today. OJ was a USC star running back football player, going on to the pros. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame. He was also an actor and broadcaster. He married Nicole Brown Simpson. He was accused of killing her and was acquitted — because the glove the prosecution said he wore while killing Nicole didn't fit his hand. It was quite a trial. However, he lost the civil trial and had to pay millions to Nicole's family. Later, OJ and friends were convicted of robbery. OJ was finally sentenced to jail. He has since been released and is living in Florida.

John and I met Merlin Olsen at a meeting where he was the speaker. Merlin was a scholar and earned a Master's in Economics. However, he was a Rams Defensive End, Team Captain, and the anchor of the legendary Fearsome Foursome. He was also inducted into the Football Hall of Fame. He was also a sports commentator and an actor in movies and TV, including Little House on the Prairie. Merlin, who was 6'5", 260 pounds, and had the biggest hands I'd ever seen — so when we were introduced to him, he shook my hand and it just disappeared! It was like I had a child's hand. However, he seemed like a gentle giant. Sadly, he died of a rare form of cancer at the age of 69.

I met Stephanie Edwards several times. She began her career as an actress, and became widely known as an on-air personality in the 1970s. She co-hosted ABC-TV's AM America, the forerunner to Good Morning America, jointly with Bill Beutel. (She continued with GMA, often substituting for Joan Lunden.) Previously, she had hosted a similar West Coast news and talk program in Southern California, AM Los Angeles, along with Ralph Story.

Stephanie Edwards was nominated in 1979 for a Daytime Emmy Award as Outstanding Host or Hostess in a Talk, Service or Variety Series, for her show Everyday. She was also the continuing co-host of the Tournament of Roses Parade on Los Angeles television channel KTLA (broadcast widely as a "superstation" across the United States) with former game show host Bob Eubanks from 1978 to 2005, resuming again in 2009. She ended her 35-year career as co-host in 2016.

However, in 1983, as the Director of Women's Ministry, I invited her to speak about her life and faith. My mom and mother-in-love sat at the speaker's table and were so impressed and delighted with her. Stephanie's story of faith made a dramatic impact on Nita. I also invited Stephanie to MC at the Chosen Women's Stadium event at the Irvine Amphitheater.

Marilyn McCoo Davis. Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr. have enjoyed tremendous success through the years as recording artists, performers, and authors. They have received 7 Grammy Awards and earned 15 gold and 3 platinum records, and enjoyed starring roles on television and stage. They have performed to sold-out concerts around the world.

I knew Marilyn pretty well after spending a week retreat with her and six other women of influence, once a year for about 5 years. Also, John and I, and Marilyn and Billy, were at several events together, including being bridesmaids and groomsmen for Bunny and Frank Wilson. Rev. E.V. Hill officiated. Marilyn sang and gave her story of faith at one of the Chosen Women Stadium events in Fresno.

Other famous people that I have met over the years, I met because of Chosen Women Stadium events or NEWIM (Network of Evangelical Women in Ministry) conferences. I note that "famous" is a subjective term. The people I list here are famous or well known here and around the world, but may not have been written about in magazines or headlines. You may not recognize their names. Here they are in no particular order: Tommy Coomes, Ruth Graham, Anne Graham Lotz, Jill Briscoe, Kay Arthur, Elisabeth Elliot, Bunny Wilson, Anne Ortland, and Neil Anderson.

I have had a very full life, filled with amazing people and opportunities. There are so many more people I could have listed who have had an impact on my life as well.

However, the only famous person who is above all others is the Lord Himself, Jesus Christ. He is the Lover of my soul, my Friend, and Savior.